You are serious about having a meaningful experience - and we are committed to making that happen. There are so many benefits to partnering with AEI and volunteering with animal organizations overseas. International volunteer work provides opportunities for personal and professional development. These life changing experiences will let you add to your knowledge and skill set, while making an important contribution to the project you are helping. Whether you are a professional, student or an animal lover wanting to make a difference, AEI can help you find the experience you are looking for. AEI Experiences allow you to travel in a meaningful way – you are not just a tourist, you are part of the community,­­ supporting the important work being done by our placement partners. These international placements can provide skills needed for school credit or career development. They can help you make important decisions about your own life direction. And they let you explore a new country, become part of a team, and form lifelong friendships. Use your dedication and passion to help animals, while adding to your own personal knowledge and experience!

When you travel with AEI, you know that we have done all the work to ensure your trip will be ethical and beneficial to all involved. We make sure that our impact on the environment is kept to a minimum by carbon balancing your trip. We discuss social responsibility and ethical travel with all our volunteers. And we visit all of our placement partners so we can be sure they are doing amazing work that is directly benefiting their community and the animals in their care.

Bat Conservation in Australia

Help bat conservation in beautiful northern Queensland.

Here they rescue, rehabilitate and release several species of native Australian bats. The hospital dedicates its efforts to rescuing sick, injured and orphaned bats and treats four species of Australian flying-foxes, including Spectacled Flying-foxes and Little Red Flying-foxes, Tube-Nosed Fruit bats, and even a few microbats such as such as Nyctophilus and Freetail bats.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Australia

Join the team and care for wildlife at this Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Australia.

This is a wildlife rehabilitation centre located in Western Australia that rehabilitates and treats sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. The centre admits more than 2,400 animals each year and offers expert care and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing the wildlife back to the wild. The main focus of this wildlife centre is a commitment to the protection and welfare of native wildlife.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Guatemala

Help sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in central Guatemala.

This Wildlife Rescue Centre was originally created for a very specific and urgent purpose: to build a rescue center to care for and rehabilitate wild animals that were being confiscated on the black market by the Guatemalan government. Over the years it has grown into one of the largest and most complex rescue centres in the world. Each year it admits over 500 animals representing more than 40 species of wildlife.

Elephant Rescue in Thailand

Help care for elephants in Thailand.

The mission of this elephant rescue centre is to stop the suffering of these magnificent creatures. They do this by providing a sanctuary for neglected and mistreated elephants that would otherwise be living on the streets of Bangkok or other large cities. The elephants are free to live and roam safely on a large plot of land that has been generously donated to the centre. The care and attention that they receive ensures that they can live healthy and natural lives, no longer having to perform or carry out back-breaking work for the pleasure of tourists.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Australia

Help with sea turtle conservation off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef is located just off the coast of northern Queensland and is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. The reef attracts people from all over hoping to see first-hand the gorgeous diversity of marine life. Unfortunately many of these magnificent marine creatures are in trouble, including the Green Sea Turtle, Flatback, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Thailand

Help care for wildlife rescued in Thailand.

Wild animals in Thailand are experiencing pressures from many sources – loss of habitat, hunting, the illegal pet trade, use of animals by the entertainment industry, and cruelty and abuse by people. In an attempt to help native wildlife this organization runs several projects including hands-on wildlife rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, community education and research. Built on temple land, the centre provides the animals with a huge plot of forest to shelter in during their rehabilitation, or for some to live in for the rest of their lives.

Dog Rescue in Mexico

Help with dog and cat rescue, adoption and public education in Mexico.

Street dogs and cats are a worldwide problem. Many of these dogs and cats are born on the streets, while others are abandoned pets, or pets that are permitted to roam free. In Mexico hundreds of thousands of animals are estimated to be homeless. These animals fight to survive, living on the edge of society. They are often starving, sick or injured, facing countless health challenges.

Bat Conservation in Cuba

Assist with the study of bats in Cuba.

When people think of the Caribbean, vacation getaway comes to mind. Cuba is a popular tourist destination, with its warm climate and beautiful sandy beaches. Tourism has been very important for the economics of Cuba, but has also resulted in habitat destruction, and hotel development. Many animals are affected by this loss of habitat, including several species of bats.

Horse Conservation in Mongolia

Help monitor the wild horses of Mongolia.

Citizen Scientists are needed immediately to help monitor the wild horses of Mongolia and ensure their survival. Support our partner in Hustai National Park as they conserve and protect important ecosystems and reintroduce and sustain these amazing horses.

Dog Rescue in Nepal

Help street dogs in Nepal through rescue, treatment and education programs.

There are thousands of dogs living on the streets in Nepal. These dogs suffer from neglect, starvation, injuries and disease. They also pose a health threat to people - every year, around 200 Nepali people die of rabies and 16,000 are treated for dog bites.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Indonesia

Help care for wildlife rescued in Indonesia.

Our partner centre is strategically located in Indonesia where it can tackle the cross-border trade. This sustainably-run rescue centre allows authorities to enforce wildlife laws, carry out their raids and confiscate live animals. These animals are offered care and rehabilitation, with the hope of being able to release them back into the wild. Those animals that cannot be released are provided long-term care at the centre. Our partner also supports the protection of wildlife and their habitats through education and advocacy.

Dog Rescue in Spain

Help rescue and rehabilitate Spanish Galgos.

Help save these amazing dogs! In Spain, galgos – Spanish greyhounds - are used for hunting hares in the countryside. Despite being part of Spanish culture for centuries, as “hunting dogs” galgos are not seen as companion animals and often have difficult lives filled with neglect and abuse. Their speed and agility make them excellent at chasing hares and breeders aspire to create the “perfect” galgos.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

Help conserve sea turtles in Sri Lanka.

Five species of sea turtles nest on the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, and these turtles are also under threat. In 2005, the “boxing day Tsunami” affected Kosgoda, Sri Lanka tremendously. Hundreds of metres of beach were lost and so were people's livelihoods. Fishing was compromised and even the local tourism industry saw a dramatic decline. Many people are now dependent on the selling of turtle eggs and jewellery made from the shells of Hawksbill turtles.

Dog Rescue in Kenya

Help rescue and rehabilitate dogs, cats and farm animals in Kenya.

When people think of Kenya, African wildlife come quickly to mind - but Kenya’s domestic animals also need our help. As in many countries, the unfortunate reality is that domestic and farm animals are often abused and abandoned.

Dolphin Conservation in Croatia

Help with dolphin conservation in Croatia.

Our partner in Croatia has come to the aid of the dolphins. This organization began as a collaboration between the Slovenian Museum of Natural History, local biologists and scientists from several international universities. Their main aim is to monitor the dolphins and use the information collected to form a baseline for conservation plans.

Sea Turtle Nesting Conservation in Costa Rica

Help conserve sea turtles in Costa Rica by protecting nesting sites.

The beaches along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica are the nesting site for many leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles that lay their eggs here. As the female turtles come in to nest, they are exposed to many threats. One of the biggest threats is the illegal poaching of the eggs that they lay.

Wildlife Rehabilitation in Malawi

Help care for wildlife rescued in southern Africa.

Malawi is the principle hub for wildlife trafficking in Southern Africa. Wild animals in the region are threatened by this illegal wildlife activity as well as the bushmeat trade, deforestation and other conflicts with people. This organization aims to protect wildlife, provide care for rescued wild animals and empower the guardians of the wild. More than 200 animals are in care at this wildlife centre, with the goal of returning as many as possible back to the wild each year.